STEM Design Process

Issued by FHI 360

The STEM design process is a series of steps that serve as a foundation for finding a solution to a problem. These steps include: defining the problem, collecting data, brainstorming, developing, presenting, and improving solutions. This process gives youth the tools they need to solve real-world problems, enabling them to become locally aware, globally engaged citizens. Participants learn fundamentals of the design process, as well as training in 3D modeling and prototype development.

Type Learning
Level Foundational
Time Days
Cost Free

Skills

Earning Criteria

Select Bridge to Employment (BTE) youth participated in the 6-day Alliance Building & Training Session (ABTS), which is an annual international conference uniting global BTE programs. After learning about the STEM design process, youth collaborated with peers of various cultures and backgrounds to design, build, test, and present a prototype of a mini-golf course that incorporated the construction of various simple machines into the design.
Create a workable solution to a real world problem by demonstrating an increase in knowledge of a variety of STEM concepts. As youth work through the STEM Design Process to create a solution, they will incorporate an understanding of convergent and divergent thinking, brainstorming strategies, simple machines, 3D modeling, construction, and prototyping into their design.
Teams create their own Power Point presentations describing the steps of the STEM Design Process and how each step contributed to the development of their solution. Each team member will present their own 3D model and working prototype to demonstrate the STEM concepts applied over the course of the 6-day event. Presentations will showcase the development of the solution from start to finish and will highlight both successes and failures encountered along the way.